Cowboys Signed Former Top-5 Pick In Untapped-Potential Hope

The Dallas Cowboys signed veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas this offseason to help mitigate the loss of underrated contributor Chauncey Golston. Although Golston wasn’t a star edge rusher or game-wrecking defensive tackle, he was a versatile force who had the ability to play both inside and outside along the defensive line.

Thomas - given his Draft Day pedigree - has the potential to be an upgrade over Golston in Matt Eberflus’ defensive scheme. Thomas is a former top-five overall pick and has earned over $41 million in his career. ...

And he's ready to re-earn his keep now that he's back in DFW.

The Coppell High School graduate is excited to play close to home and build upon the winning culture in the Cowboys organization.

"It's been awesome, it's been really cool just being part of the team. Being home for me has been awesome," Thomas said. "Coach Schotty has been doing an amazing job just getting the energy right and culture right here."

"Guys are excited every day, there's enthusiasm every day, it's feeling like a family. I've only been here like a few weeks, but being around the team everyone feels close, it's a very college like atmosphere."

Thomas stands 6-3, 295 pounds, and likely will primarily be deployed on the interior of the defensive line, as the Cowboys have a rock-solid group of young edge rushers—including Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeuiruaku, Dante Fowler, and Payton Turner.

Aside from Osa Odighizuwa, the interior defensive line is a major question mark.

Defensive tackle Mazi Smith is hoping to live up to his first-round draft selection by continuing to develop, and the emergence of rookie defensive tackle Jay Toia during OTAs is intriguing but let’s not put too much pressure on the kid.

Thomas, now 29, could serve as a key rotational piece throughout the season for the Cowboys and hopefully have a late-career resurgence. ... with a reach deep inside himself for all of that untapped potential.